Israel’s War on Gaza Escalates Tensions with Iran: US Policy Tested
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has brought tensions between Israel and Iran to a boiling point, putting the United States in a difficult position as they navigate their relationship with both countries. President Joe Biden, a self-described Zionist, has pledged unwavering support for Israel, but this support is conflicting with the US’s goal of preventing a regional war in the Middle East.
Analysts warn that Iran is likely to retaliate against Israel for a deadly air raid on its consulate in Damascus, despite Biden’s warning for them not to. This raises fears of a larger conflict in the region and highlights the challenges of US deterrence efforts in the Middle East.
Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute, criticized Biden for not rebuking Israel for attacking the Iranian embassy, which violated international law and endangered US troops in the region. The US’s unconditional support for Israel, coupled with their calls for de-escalation, has put strain on Washington’s foreign policy.
Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, called the US approach to the crisis hypocritical and contradictory. He pointed out that while the US urges restraint from Iran, they encourage Israel to act with impunity. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel, signaling a shift in their response to aggression from the US and Israel.
Experts note that the conflict in Gaza has already spread beyond the enclave, with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen becoming involved. The region is now facing the prospect of a wider conflict, with pressure mounting on the US and Israel to prevent further escalation.
Ryan Costello, policy director at the National Iranian American Council, warned that a joint American-Israeli retaliation against Iran could have catastrophic consequences. He stressed the importance of de-escalation and called for an end to the war in Gaza as a crucial step towards easing tensions in the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, the US faces a delicate balancing act in its efforts to support Israel while preventing a larger conflict from erupting in the Middle East.
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that is to end the war on Gaza,” Parsi said. “But unfortunately, the administration has chosen to double down on a path of confrontation rather than diplomacy.”
Overall, the key points of the analysis include:
1. The tensions between Israel and Iran, and the US’s unwavering support for Israel, are putting strain on US foreign policy.
2. The US’s conflicting priorities of supporting Israel and preventing regional war are highlighted in this situation.
3. Critics argue that the US should have rebuked Israel for attacking the Iranian embassy, but instead, it is rewarding Israel with unconditional support.
4. Iran’s pledge to retaliate against Israel is seen as a response to perceived impunity from the US and Israel.
5. The potential for a widened conflict in the region, involving not just Israel and Iran but also other actors like Hezbollah and the Houthis, is a cause for concern.
6. Calls for a de-escalatory approach and an end to the war in Gaza are made by analysts as a way to reduce tensions in the region.